#earthrunes

Earl seeks out August

He is, as usual, in his study.

A knock on the door "August?"

"Come in." he is looking up from his legal books as Earl opens the door.

"Sorry, am I intruding?" He asks

"No, just reviewing some case law for work. How can I help you?"

"I thought you wanted to know, Zara has has a complete recovery." He smiles

And he smiles back. "That's wonderful to hear, thank you. If she wishes a visitor, I would love to spend a few moments with her."

"You're always welcome" he assures 'I know she's missed her friends."

"Is there a better or worse time?

"Oh I think the usual schdule is back"

He ponders "A tea time might be a arranged if you want to extend an offer"

"I do, absolutely. Could I ask you to carry a message for me?"

"It would be my honor" He assures

August slides paper and pen closer, then chooses different paper. Then a different pen. And he has to change the nib. And find the right ink. He pauses to consider, nods to himself, and begins writing in flawless script.

Earl waits admiring the aristry

It is short, and soon done. No mistakes, apparently. He blows on it gently to dry the dark blue ink on his personal stationary.

"How is Coradel now that Samson's well?"

A gentle smile "She is much improved as well."

He folds the dry paper into an origami shape; a butterfly. He offers it to Earl. "Thank you."

"You're welcome, and very glad to hear that of Coradel. I know how fond she is of Samsson, first horse she met on this side. " He takes it.

He nods. "Without Zara's help, and others, she would have been inconsolable; devastated."

"I'm very proud of Zara" He admits, eyes shining "My lady is bold"

"And brave."

"Very much so" he agrees "She gives some credit to Lord Hume and one Alan O Dale, to be fair."

"Lord Hume did very well, indeed. I'm afraid I haven't had the honor of meeting Mr. O'Dale."

"Me neither" He admits "he seems to have vanished"

"Hm." a wrinkled forehead, frowning.

"I know Alan was in good health"

He looks startled. "Oh. Ah, good. I hadn't.... ah, considered that possibility."

"Oh? Penny for your thoughts?"

"Apparently I don't have any." with dry good humor "I hadn't considered that anyone would harm him."

"Ha. I would hope not." He conceds "maybe I'mm just a bit high strung"

"Is all well with you, Earl? Will you take a seat?"

He does, then says "It is now. But I admit, it's been stressful. Zara was sick, of course, but there was... an incident' Thought I was going mad, or she was."

"Oh?" Earl has his full attention.

"She swapped with another zara from another 'possible destiny line' or however it was worded. Zara will perhaps share the whole story, but we almost lost OUR zara"

August actually goes pale. "What? How??"

"A magic item in another world sent alnternate zara here and our zara there"

August absently reaches for any old pen and paper, and makes a few notes "What item?"

"I don't recall the details but i htink it was in the form of a butter fly"

"Ah."

August clears his throat. "Do you think I might have that note for Zara back for a moment?" He makes a note on any-old-paper and then draws careful pen, new nib, and personal stationary over.

He returns it promptly "Shes' back, and fine, but I confess I was terrified until I was sure it was her again"

August nods, reviewing what he wrote the first time, and copying it to a new piece of paper.

"Didn't mean to alarm you" He apologizes

"No, just..... in hindsight and with new information it might be seen in bad taste."

This time he folds it into a flower.

"AH! Glad you caught it then"

"Glad you mentioned it." He hands the second version to Earl. "My thanks, again."